Benjamin Syms Middle School

170 Fox Hill Road

School District

Hampton City Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Hampton City Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 30, 2025

when my kid went to the school he called me and told me the food was raw and he had a bite of it after he got home he had food poising because ethe pulled pork was raw and very pink
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

My child is bored. We moved from a new school and the things they learning, he has already studied. And when I say learning, I mean barely. They spend more time testing and teaching a test than they do teaching for mastery. As far as environment.. it's not great. I have teacher trauma dumping on the kids about her soon to be ex husband, kids bullying others with little consequence. When there is consequence, they admin uses the "we are all punished" technique rather than call the abusers out. And theres a huge lack of communication. If you want parent involvement, great... involve me. The weekly update on parentsquare is fine but how about emailing parents when theres an event going on or trip at school.. and not 2 days before it happens. Having kids to pass on this info to me is one way to do it but not relyable.. they are kids afterall. Open communication is key and this admin needs to be deliberate about it and deliberate about ensuring teachers also practice open communication with parents both in bad instances AND in good instances. Thats how you foster community and partnership.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2021

The school is a typical inner city middle school. The children are bused from all over the city to this one school. It has the largest student population for a local middle school. The Special needs students also have the largest population of all schools locally. With that said, the school is faced with juggling many different behaviors and academic struggles; however, many of the students are doing well. This school scores just as high as all of the other local middle schools except the gifted school. A few people's experience is not the majority. Keep in mind that most people don't leave reviews unless they have a gripe or complaint. The students at Syms are soaring! The teachers and staff care about the students and their jobs.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2020

Principle want to keep my child there and said they are the lowest fighting school and achievement school. Saying that they are new
Submitted by other on April 10, 2019

The worst experience in my life and my childs life.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2019

I would rate this school with zero stars. This school can do so much better than it is. This truly shows a major lack of leadership and a lack of zero tolerance for those that seem to not want to learn and just make others experiences at this school a living hell.
Submitted by other on March 10, 2016

Comments all I have to say school terribleNeed more word to post this is nothing
Submitted by other on April 17, 2014

Good people and teachers they are nice to the kid you can make friends easily
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2014

This school is terrible. The teachers DO NOT help students that are in need of extra help. My son is a prime example. He asked several teachers, several times and got brushed off. The assistant principal and guidance councilor is of no help either. There is bullying, and I feel just not by the students but the teachers as well. I was told by a teachers' spouse that my child does not belong at Syms, he belongs at Spratley. What does that say? Avoid this school if you can, for your child's sake.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

The teachers really care and are willing to help students that may need a little extra help. The administration is more than willing to work with children with disabilities and to accommodate to the needs of the child unlike another middle school in Hampton that was not willing to do so. I was very happy with the 7th grade teachers that my child had last year and am happy so far with the 8th grade teachers that he has this year. This school is very big on communication which is definatley high on my list!